By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff

FOXBOROUGH -- More than 22,000 fans were on hand Wednesday night to watch the Patriots practice at Gillette Stadium. The large crowd of season-ticket holders and Foxborough residents got a chance to watch the team get a little chippy under the lights.

Linebacker Brandon Spikes took a shot from tackle Nate Solder during 11-on-11 drills, starting a fight that had several players engaged before being broken up.

After the fight, Solder took a penalty lap while Spikes went to the locker room briefly and returned with a knee brace. The linebacker was seen jawing at Solder upon his return.

"A little chippy, a little chippy," said cornerback Kyle Arrington of the fight, one of three players made available to the media after the practice.

"It's all in fun though, man," Arrington said. "When it happens, everybody's such a competitor, [they] can't help it. Sometimes emotions get involved. But I mean at the end of the day, it's all love.

"On this team, I've seen a few now. I would say it happens often. When guys are trying to be physical, it's the time to beat up on each other. You go against each other every day. You grow tired of people this time of year. That's just the nature of it."